GAME DAY: Penticton Vees – (26-7-2-2) at Merritt Centennials – (14-19-3-1)

(Image credit: Merritt Centennials)

Penticton Vees – (26-7-2-2) 

Despite two straight road wins it hasn’t been smooth sailing on the road for the Vees. Before ripping off two straight away victories the Vees had lost 6 of their last 8 away from Penticton and are sitting one game over .500 on the road this season. That being said the Streak of Doom continues to haunt the Centennials. 25 straight losses to the Vees almost exactly five years ago on February 15th 2019, half a decade ago. That win came in Penticton so Merritt’s last home win against the Vees happened February 13th 2017 almost exactly seven years ago. Will Merritt slay the dragon today at the NVMA?

Merritt Centennials – (14-19-3-1) 

The Cents are coming off a lopsided 5-1 blowout win over the Trail Smoke Eaters last night. They took advantage of two tired teams in a row as Victoria was smoked 6-3 last Saturday to start the mini 2 game win streak. The Cents I’m sure couldn’t care less as long as they are sounding the siren which they have done often of late. Merritt is averaging nearly 4 goals a game at home in their last ten and has 3 home wins in their last 4 at the NVMA. We’ll see what happens in a battle of rest versus rust as the Vees had Saturday off after their win in Salmon Arm on Friday.

Previous Meetings;

5 games 5 wins for the Vees, a 6-0 win at the NVMA a 6-4 win in Penticton. A 5-2 win at the NVMA the last two were a lot closer, a 3-2 win for the Vees in Merritt and a tight 2-1 win in Penticton as the Cents are inching closer and closer to ending the streak. 

Special Teams Comparison;

Cents PP 28/127 (22.05%) (9th)     PK 28/136 (79.41%) (7th)

Vees   PP      40/126 (31.75%) (1st) PK 24/106 (77.36%) (10th)

Cents Win | Zach Amin Photography

Players to Watch:

Zach Losier seems to score in bunches and he notched one in his return against the Grizzlies. He notched another one last night. We’ll see if that gets him hot. Jack Ziliotto has 6 helpers in 6 games with more ice time with Merritt. Luke Pfoh has also been a solid addition to the top line, he’s nearly a point-per-game player with 5 points in 6 games. Ray Hamlin had his first goal last game, Percic got in on the scoring. The new guys are firing on all cylinders after a shaky start adjusting to a new system.

Connor MacPherson had a hatty here in October and has been el fuego lately. 3 goals and 4 assists for 7 points in his last 7 games. Andrew Ness has given up 4 goals in 3 games all wings and Will Ingeman has also given up 4 goals in 3 games so right now both goaltenders and the defense have been a big blue wall in Merritt.

Keys to Victory:

Key number 1 – Improve the discipline or face the consequences. Penticton is the best team in the BCHL and Merritt simply took too many penalties last night. They are now 8th in times shorthanded after starting yesterday in the 10 spot. Do that again and the Cents can expect to get lit up.

Key Number 2 – Keep playing good hockey. After some abysmal hockey by the Cents that could be the result of the shake up the chemistry really seems to be bubbling now. Just keep playing the way you have been and the Vees may run into trouble. Last game the Cents put above 30 shots on the Penticton net, a team that averages around just over 20 shots against per game. Forget the structure of Penticton pound those shots on net.

Key number 3 – Play with pride. This is a team that has beaten you 25 times in a row. The streak has definitely gotten out of control. While the Vees feasted on some really bad Merritt teams over that span, this is not one of those teams that was consistently the worst team in the BCHL over that span. If Prince George and Cranbrook can beat them there is no reason why the Centennials cannot do the same.